Coronavirus Updates: March 13, 2020
NOTE: This blog post is over one year old. Information may be out of date.
In an effort to keep our clients informed on the latest updates related to the current outbreak, we want to share with you some trusted resources that can help you better understand how the coronavirus is impacting the lives of people around the world. For general information, we recommend visiting the World Health Organization. For details on symptoms and safety precautions, the Center for Disease Control is your best choice. Local clients should visit the Tennessee Department of Health.
As the current situation evolves, we will continue to communicate with you. As of now, our office remains fully operational. However, as the health and well-being of our staff and clients is paramount, there is a chance our office could potentially close. We appreciate your understanding while we cooperate with the requests of the CDC and/or local public health officials, should they arise.
Here is a summary of the most recent information related to the impact of the 2019 coronavirus on those seeking entry into the US and on other immigration-related matters:
President Trump has issued three proclamations suspending entry into the United States for individuals who were physically present within the following states during the 14-day period preceding their entry:
People’s Republic of China
Islamic Republic of Iran
Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland
The suspension does not apply to US citizens and lawful permanent residents, their spouses, and their children under the age of 21. Other exemptions to the suspension can be found on the US State Department website.
The Department of State has compiled a list of embassy websites for country-specific information concerning COVID-19. We recommend that clients check this website frequently for alerts of reduced or temporarily suspended visa services.
There is no penalty if you reschedule your USCIS appointment. If you become ill for any reason, please follow the instructions on your appointment notice to reschedule your appointment, or call our office to assist you.
You can find information about USCIS Office Closings here. If you are scheduled for an interview or biometrics service at an office that is closed, USCIS will automatically reschedule your appointment as soon as possible. If you are scheduled for an InfoPass or other appointment, you must schedule a new appointment on your own.
Should our office be forced to close, you can use the USCIS online service center to check your case status and current processing times.